Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-23
FIFTY YEARS OF AGE.
How Cleveland CeIebrated His Birth
day-An Interesting Incident.

How Cleveland CeIebrated His Birth
day-An Interesting Incident.
OfPresident Cleveland's birthday the Wash
ington Post says: yesterday, March IL,
was the golden anniversary Of President
Cleveand's birth, bu / the President did not
celebrate 1t in any very marked degree. On
the contrary he carefully avoided ceebra-
ton. The President is not of an enthusiastic
or sentimental nature, and is not given TO cell
eOratlOns very much, but especially he Is
opposed to all cele urations which partake of
the character OF self glorlfcatiOn, ami such
ne considers a mans public celebration OF his
own birthday to be. Vanity, vanity, it Is
al vanity" he is reported to have SAID to
friend who asked him why he dd not cele-
brate the natal day. "If a man really feels
that his birth was stroke OF luck to him let
MIN rejoice by all means; but don't think
he has any right to disturb the town about It,
ana don't think 1t would be modest to ask
an lhe rest OF the world to rejoice IN an event
which had so little interest for them" 1t
was thus the President discussed his birthday
with Mr.. SoteIdo, the Minister from Nene
Zuela, the only member of the diplomatic
corps apparently who knew that yesterday
was the anniversary.
Birthday cards IN large numbers came from
all over the country, ana friends in " ashlng-
ton sent flowers. Nearly all the callers at
the white House, of course, made it their first
business to congratulate the President and
wish him many happy returns, but the
visitors TO whom interviews were accorded
were few IN number. This does not apply to
the usual afternoon reception in the East
room, which was attended by not less than 400
or 500 people. large proportion OF them
were e&cursionsts from Buffalo, the PreSl
dents former home, and the surrounding
district in Northwestern New York. They
were remarked as 4 very modest set OF eXcur-
sonists for after a brief introduction in the
gross. as is usual in the case of large organ
lZed parties; they flied past very quietly, not
one OF them showing any desire to be famll
lar or to take any special liberty on account
he q Prom ha nraa Nor nRR
slonally many happy returns" would be
murmured, but it was invariably spo-
ken gently, Iimidly, and with modesty and
RESPECT The President himself looked bright
and well, and appeared to take an individual
interest IN every single individual whose
hand he grasped.
At the rear of the procession, after the last
man hau been presented, and the President
had started upon his retreat along the corri-
dor. little fellow about 8 or 10 years old
came rushing in from the East room very
much out OF breath He had a dirty looking
sealed envelope in his hand which was in
tended for the President. The boys name
was Jimmy o. Brien, and he lives away out in
the northeas ern part of the city He was
late, but did not get LETT" Catching a
glimpse OF the President as he passed along
the great corridor, the boy started after him.
and before he reached the stairway at the
western end the President felt a Juggling at
his skirts.
Please, Mr.. President" said the boy, 'this
Is for you" handing up the sol ed envelope.
And what Ia this?" the President asked,
tearing the corner open.
'Please, sir" said the lad. sit is a birthday
card, ana my name is jimmy OBIien."
The President had the boy write his name
and address on the card ana the date of his
birthday. no doubt with the intention of re-
turning the compliment when the day ar
rlves, Tor, in the MIDST of the greatest con-
Germs, he finds opportunity To attend to many
such little trlfies us that. Then having found
that the lad walked, or rather ran all the
way from the other end of the town he gave
MIN 81 and 10c. piece and told him to ride
home.
In the afternoon the President and Mrs
Cleveland took their regular drive out to-
ward Oak View.
In the evening the President went to the
National Theatre to see the minstrel show.
Col. and Mrs. Lamont and Mrs. Jewett, of
Buffalo. friend of Mrs. Cleveland. accom-
panied him. Owing to the recent death OF
her grandmother Mrs. Cleveland will not go
to the theatre for some time.